Six members of Konoha's Anbu moved swiftly across the snowfield like invisible shadows.
Gekko Hayate swept his Byakugan around, while Yugao's katana still bore traces of blood from the previous battle. They had already cleared out three groups of roaming ninja and two groups of bounty hunters along the way—these hyenas roaming the border were always the most perceptive, and the turbulence brought by the Heavenly Screen made them even more active.
"The Snow Capital is just ten kilometers ahead." Namiashi Raidō unfolded the map, his breath condensing rapidly in the cold wind. "We need to complete a thorough search before Lord Jiraiya arrives."
Crows circled low over the Aoba Yamashiro: "The Snow Ninja Village has recently increased patrols; it seems they're taking this tourist season very seriously."
"After all, the Land of Snow has experienced several upheavals and desperately needs to boost its economy." Uzuki Yugao sheathed her katana. "Let's go. We need to finish inspecting the hot spring area before dark."
Their figures quickly disappeared into the vast snowfield, leaving only a trail of footprints that were soon covered by fresh snow.
A day later, an ordinary merchant ship slowly docked at the port of the Land of Snow. On the deck, three "merchants" were busy unloading cargo.
"Uncle, where do I put this box of seafood?" a red-haired girl wearing fluffy earmuffs called out. Her nose was red from the cold, but she couldn't hide the excitement in her eyes.
"Put it down gently, Karin." The brown-haired merchant with a mustache lowered his voice. "We're in disguise right now."
The blond boy helping nearby couldn't help but sneeze. He was wrapped in a thick sheepskin coat, his blue eyes were deliberately dyed brown, and his signature fox whisker pattern was covered with makeup. Most striking was his dazzling blond hair, which was now dyed dark brown, and he was wearing a felt hat commonly seen in snowy areas.
"It's so cold, Pervy Sage!" Naruto rubbed his hands and complained softly. "Why do I have to dress up as a merchant?"
Jiraiya tapped him on the head. "Idiot, now the entire Shinobi World recognizes your face." He glanced warily at the dock, "After the Heavenly Screen started playing, who knows how many eyes are watching you?"
The port of the Land of Snow was more bustling than I had imagined. A huge banner read "Welcome to the First International Snow Sculpture Festival," and merchants and travelers from all over the world were coming and going in an endless stream. In the distance, newly built hot spring hotels were emitting steaming hot air, and street vendors were hawking hot sweet sake.
"You can't see any effect from the Heavenly Screen at all." Karin looked around in surprise. "Everyone seems to be very happy?"
Jiraiya stroked his fake mustache and chuckled, "Koyuki Daiming is very clever. The more turbulent the times, the more we need activities like this to stabilize people's hearts."
As they were talking, a group of children ran past, laughing and holding cotton candy shaped like the Nine-Tails Fox. Naruto's eyes widened, and he pointed at one of them. "That, that's not—"
"Shh!" Jiraiya covered his mouth. "You're Narutaro now, remember?"
Karin suppressed a laugh and took out three gold-embossed invitations from her luggage, "Let's go, everyone from Endō Trading Company. The messengers arranged by Lady Koyuki should have arrived by now."
Naruto then noticed a woman in a white kimono standing beside a pillar at the harbor. The maid in the pure white kimono bowed slightly, her posture elegant and restrained, her voice so soft that only the three people standing close by could hear her.
"Distinguished guest of Endō Trading Company, please follow me."
Jiraiya stroked his glued-on mustache and deliberately responded in the exaggerated tone typical of a merchant, "Oh dear, you've really gone to so much trouble, young lady! Our small business is actually receiving such courtesy from the Daimyo Prefecture..."
A knowing smile flashed in the maid's eyes. As she turned to lead the way, the hem of her kimono swept across the snow without making a sound—proof of her rigorous ninja training.
Naruto wrapped his fur cloak tighter around himself and curiously surveyed the snow-covered city.
Along the streets, glistening ice sculptures shimmered under the sun, including adorable snow bears and ice phoenixes poised for flight. Most eye-catching was the enormous Nine-Tails ice sculpture in the central square, which looked lifelike under the moonlight.
"That's..." Naruto couldn't help but stop.
The maid didn't turn around, her voice carried on the cold wind. "That was personally commissioned by the lord after he saw the contents of the Heavenly Screen some time ago; it was just completed last month." She paused, "Touching its paws brings good luck."
They walked through the bustling market and turned into a quiet alley. As the terrain rose higher, the surrounding buildings became increasingly exquisite, until they finally stopped in front of a hot spring inn surrounded by red pines. The three characters "Snow Moon Flower" on the curtain were embroidered in silver thread, appearing and disappearing in the snowy light.
"Please rest here for a while." A maid opened the lattice door painted with a snow-capped mountain scene. "His Highness the Daimyo will be presiding over the Snow Festival Ceremony soon. Once his official duties have eased up, he will personally meet with you all to discuss... the matter of the seafood trade." As she spoke the last few words, the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
The interior of the hot spring inn was even more luxurious than its exterior. Underfloor heating kept the tatami mats perfectly warm, and the windows offered views of the steaming open-air hot spring. A maid knelt in the entrance hall, taking an ice crystal token from her sleeve and placing it on a sandalwood tray.
"With this, all your expenses in the Land of Snow will be charged to the Daimyo's account," she added meaningfully, "Including... the purchase of special medicinal herbs."
Jiraiya's eyes lit up—this was the agreed-upon code.
After the maid took her leave, Naruto immediately ripped off his disguise—a brown contact lens. "Finally, I can breathe! These things hurt my eyes so much!"
"Keep your voice down." Karin quickly checked every corner of the room, taking a tiny piece of paper from a vase. "Sure enough... there's information left by the Anbu here."
Jiraiya took the note, channeled his Chakra into it, and the handwriting left by Gekko Hayate appeared:
[Traces of suspected Akatsuki activity have been discovered in the southeast corner of the Snow Capital; the situation has been dealt with. It is advised to avoid the Snow Mountain Hot Spring area for the time being. --Hayabusa]
"Looks like we're not the only ones pretending." Jiraiya crushed the note. "Akatsuki's spies have indeed been watching this place too."
Naruto rushed to the window, gazing at the brightly lit Snow Palace in the distance. "Koyuki Sister must be working so hard right now, managing the country and keeping our secrets..."
The Snow Capital is even more vibrant at night than during the day. The ice sculptures lining the main streets gleam under the streetlights, the most eye-catching being the enormous "Nine-Tails Ice Sculpture" in the central square.
"This carving is really good." Jiraiya, disguised, stroked his Jiraiya and commented, "It perfectly captures both the Nine-Tails' majesty and cuteness."
Naruto's face turned red, thankfully hidden by his scarf. They were currently sitting on the observation deck of a hot spring inn, with a seafood hot pot, a specialty of the Land of Snow, in front of them.
"Teacher, the markings left by the Anbu show everything is normal," Karin. "But there's something interesting—" she adjusted her glasses. "The Snow Ninja Village is secretly developing a new type of Chakra Armor."
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "The influence of the Heavenly Screen is still there... Wait, where's Naruto?"
The two turned around and found that the blond boy had somehow slipped to the edge of the terrace and was staring blankly at the brightly lit Snow Palace in the distance.
"Thinking about Sasuke?" Jiraiya walked up to him.
Naruto didn't deny it, but asked softly, "Pervy Sage, where do you think Sasuke is now? Will he... come back after seeing the future in the Heavenly Screen?"
The steam from the hot spring rose in the cold night, blurring the loneliness in the boy's eyes.